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Click here if you’re unable to view the photo gallery on your mobile device.Klay Thompson led the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 by scoring 32 points while going 12-of-20 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3. The Warriors face the Clippers again in Game 5 at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Wednesday. If they win, they’re likely to face the Houston Rockets, who are leading their series with the Utah Jazz 3-0. The Warriors, led by head coach Steve Kerr, have been NBA champions in 2015, 2017 and 2018.Tho …read more

Three different astronomy teams have announced findings that upset long-held beliefs. What does this portend about the confidence we can have in other theories?Galaxy growth: direct challenge: “Galaxies are thought to develop by the gravitational attraction between and merger of smaller ‘sub-galaxies’, a process that standard cosmological ideas suggest should be ongoing,” announced the Royal Astronomical Society. “But new data from a team of scientists from Liverpool John Moores University directly challenges this idea, suggesting that the growth of some of the most massive objects stopped 7 billion years ago when the Universe was half its present age.” How serious is this claim? “The lack of growth of the most massive galaxies is a major challenge to current models of the formation and evolution of large scale structure in the Universe,” commented Claire Burke, team member. “Our work suggests that cosmologists appear to lack some of the crucial ingredients they need to understand how galaxies evolved from the distant past to the present day.”Star spin: poking holes: Researchers at the University of Michigan have poked holes in a “century-old astronomical theory.” The theory, called the von Zeipel law, “has been used for the better part of a century to predict the difference in surface gravity, brightness and temperature between a rapidly rotating star’s poles and its equator.” Doctoral student Xiao Che and other astronomers on the team found that the data from Regulus don’t fit the theory. “It is surprising to me that von Zeipel’s law has been adopted in astronomy for such a long time with so little solid observational evidence.”Impossible wet comet: shattering paradigms: “Current thinking suggests that it is impossible to form liquid water inside of a comet,” states a press release from University of Arizona. But lo and behold, Comet Wild-2 explored by the Stardust spacecraft found minerals that could only have formed in the presence of water. This is a shattering find: “For the first time, scientists have found convincing evidence for the presence of liquid water in a comet, shattering the current paradigm that comets never get warm enough to melt the ice that makes up the bulk of their material.” The press release was echoed on PhysOrg.When a paradigm gets shattered in one area of science, there can be ramifications for others, depending on how foundational it was. The American philosopher Willard Quine noticed that when faced with potentially falsifying data, scientists often absorb the shocks into their “web of belief” without changing the web.There are several dynamics at work here. One is that scientists enjoy finding flaws in earlier beliefs because it makes their research seem important. They usually limit their hole-poking to small claims that can be absorbed by the web of belief without tearing it. Another dynamic is that beliefs and “laws” like the von Zeipel law are often taken on faith – yes, even scientists have faith. Nobody has the time to check out the validity of every claimed law, so they are assumed to be laws of “nature” rather than the sausage-type laws of legislature. We see often that long-held beliefs in science are vulnerable to new evidence. What’s next to go? Darwinism? Unlikely. Darwinism’s web of belief is so paramount to the cultural world view, its supporters are ready with reinforcements any time falsifying evidence comes along. All the original web is long gone. It is now a steel framework of belief, protected behind a Berlin Wall with machine-gunners ready to mow down any creationists trying to cross the line.(Visited 16 times, 1 visits today)FacebookTwitterPinterestSave分享0read more

18 October 2004The National Treasury has launched an urban renewal tax incentive to encourage the refurbishment and construction of commercial and residential properties in South Africa’s 16 major cities.The incentive translates into considerable financial benefits for investors, especially for refurbishing existing buildings. Companies that redevelop buildings in the country’s inner cities will get a 20% tax deduction from all income earned in the first five years after a building has been refurbished.Companies that develop new buildings will get a 20% tax deduction in the first year the building earns an income, plus an annual depreciation of 5% for the next 16 years. Urban renewal tax incentive: guide for investors This incentive supports other initiatives, such as policies to write off existing bad debt from inner city buildings in order to allow for these buildings to be sold, restored and refurbished.The incentive will also encourage investment in affordable inner city rental housing, as well as provides a catalyst for public-private partnerships in mixed-used developments that provide social facilities integrated into new commercial and residential developments.The incentive scheme will eventually apply to developments undertaken in 16 identified municipalities:Buffalo City (East London), Eastern CapeCape Town, Western CapeEkurhuleni (East Rand), GautengEmalahleni (Witbank), MpumalangaEmfuleni (Vaal Triangle), Free StateeThekwini (Durban), KwaZulu-NatalJohannesburg, GautengMafikeng, North WestMangaung (Bloemfontein), Free StateMatjhabeng (Welkom), Free StateMbombela (Nelspruit), MpumalangaMsunduzi (Pietermaritzburg), KwaZulu-NatalNelson Mandela (Port Elizabeth), East LondonPolokwane (Pietersburg), LimpopoSol Plaatje (Kimberley), Northern CapeTshwane (Pretoria), GautengThe Johannesburg and Cape Town incentive scheme took effect from 14 October, with the Durban scheme expected to be gazetted by the end of 2004.The Treasury has also already received applications for the scheme from the Tshwane, Emfuleni, and Sol Plaatje municipalities.Johannesburg’s approved urban development zones include the central business district, Newtown and Braamfontein, as well as the high-density high-rise residential areas of Hillbrow and Berea.Other lower-density residential areas surrounding Johannesburg’s Ellis Park area, such as Bertrams, Judith’s Paarl, Doornfontein and Troyeville, as well as Bellevue, Bellevue East and Yeoville, are also included. The manufacturing and industrial strip to the north of the M2 East/West, from Benrose in the east to City West in the west, also fall under the city’s approved urban development zones. Johannesburg UDZ map Cape Town has two urban development zones. Most of the historic Cape Town central business district is included, as are properties adjacent to the Main Road and Klipfontein Road Corridors. This includes portions of the suburbs of Salt River, Woodstock, Observatoy, Maitland, Mowbray, Athlone and Gatesville. Cape Town UDZ map Cape Town’s second urban development zone includes the older part of the Bellville central business district, focusing on land adjacent to the Voortrekker Road Corridor and around Bellville Station. Some properties along Modderdam Road and Kasselsvlei Road are also included. Belville UDZ map The proposed urban development zone for eThekwini/Durban includes parts of Walter Gilbert Road, Bell Road, Shepstone Road, Bay Terrace, Victoria Embankment, Alexandra, Brook Streets, West Street, Berea Road, Carters Ave, Canongate Road, Warwick Ave, Centenary Road, Carlisle Road, First Ave, Stamford Hill Road, Croydon Road. Walter Gilbert Road, Cobham Road, Old Fort Road, NMR Ave, Somtseu Ave, Stanger Str, Argyle Road, and NMR Ave until Walter Gilbert Rd. Proposed Durban UDZ map SouthAfrica.info reporterread more

Three Anchor Bay’s bathing area is visiblein the bottom right of this scene ofMouille Point and Cape Town stadium.(Image: Cape Town Partnership) The three proposed pilot sites areshown in this Google Maps image.See a bigger version.(Images: City of Cape Town)MEDIA CONTACTS • Councillor Brett HerronMayoral committee member+27 21 400 1298Emily van RijswijckThe City of Cape Town has launched a year-long pilot project to improve the quality of storm water running into the sea at three of its popular bathing areas.According to the municipality, this is the first time that this kind of initiative, involving end-of-pipe treatment, will be undertaken in South Africa.If the project is successful it will be taken to other beaches along the city’s coastline.Two storm water outlet sites at Three Anchor Bay and one at Rocklands, in adjacent Sea Point, all within 10 minutes of the city centre, are earmarked for the pilot project, with infrastructure construction already under way.The sites were chosen because of their proximity to the city’s management offices as this minimises costs.A different treatment method will be used at each of the three sites to test the environmental impact and cost effectiveness as well as their efficacy under local conditions.At Three Anchor Bay North the low flow of water will be diverted to the city’s sewer system; conventional chlorine disinfection will be introduced at Three Anchor Bay South; and an ultraviolet disinfection process will be used at Rocklands.“The outcomes of the monitoring report will determine whether it is viable for the city to roll out interventions similar to the three pilots at other non-compliant bathing beaches, but on a much bigger scale,” says Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for Cape Town.Three Anchor Bay is wedged between Mouille Point and Sea Point on the Atlantic seaboard, considered to be one of Cape Town’s prime property locations.Along this beautiful stretch of beachfront lie the glamorous, sought-after areas of Clifton, Camps Bay, Fresnaye and Llandudno, each with its own character. Some have spectacular swimming beaches, and all share the magnificent Table Mountain and Twelve Apostles range as backdrop.Non-compliantPreliminary tests done by consulting engineers Jeffares and Green at strategic outlet areas in Sea Point and Mouille Point revealed that the quality of the storm water did not comply with the Department of Water Affairs’ regulations.The study also found that stormwater runoff was one of the major contributors to pollution of sea water in Cape Town, especially during low water-flow periods, says Herron.It is estimated that the construction process will take about five months, after which the assessment will start in earnest.A building being constructed at Rocklands will house the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection equipment. This technique makes use of UV light to penetrate bacterial cell walls, which, in turn, disrupts the reproduction process of the microbes.The method is considered to be simple and easy to install and maintain. Unlike the chlorine treatment, it leaves the water with no chemical taste or smell and is therefore more environment-friendly.For the chlorine disinfection method underground tanks will be installed at Three Anchor Bay South, while at the Three Anchor Bay North site low-flow diversion infrastructure will divert storm water via an underground system.“Since these are pilot projects, monitoring is essential, especially in the case of the chlorination treatment, to see if it is viable to continue with chlorination disinfection,” says Herron.The effect of chlorine on marine wildlife has not been established, but it is of concern to the municipality and will be closely monitored by an independent marine biologist.Feedback received from the public during the environmental impact assessment and public participation process had been “very positive”, says Herron.read more

Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest We worked on some tile repairs, some fencerow maintenance and we are finishing up our last farm for soil testing. That’s about the extent of the field work.With the cover crops, we do not really want to spray right now with the rain coming in. We won’t be able to plant right after so we want to hold off on spraying. We are sort of in a holding pattern now because we don’t really do any tillage work so we are finishing up additions to our planter and moving seed.The cover crops are looking much better. The fields that were thin are filling in. It is mainly the ryegrass that is growing in right now. I don’t see a lot of other species really growing much out there yet.After this series of rains this week, I would guess that we could get going next week. There is an 80% chance of rain tomorrow and Wednesday and some chance on Thursday and Friday. Next week looks pretty good for us and we’ll be ready to roll at that time.I took a soil temperature reading yesterday and it was 40 degrees at four inches in the morning and that is about what the weather maps are showing too. For mid-day it is only getting up to 47 to 49 degrees. That is not warm enough to facilitate germination and with the outlook of rainy weather, that could be really scary.I saw there was some anhydrous going on around the state and maybe some spraying over the weekend but that is about the extent of it. After this weather pattern goes through we’ll be ready to go.We are finishing up some variable rate seeding maps and implementing farm management software this year and I am trying to gets guys trained on that too. I like to get started in April but I am not nervous yet. We can get planted fairly quickly. I want to see soil temperatures in the 50- to 55-degree range so we can get the crops up and growing quickly.read more

November 24, 2002 Concrete pumpoperator Tim [with cowboy hat] of O’Brian Concrete Pumping is directingthe concrete nozzle with Roma Tre student Anita Maruccia on his righttranslating requests from the Sicilian crew. This pour includes thecomplete wall panels between Unit 6 and 7, between Unit 7 and 8,between Unit 8 and 9, and between Unit 9 and 10. [Photo & text: sa] Sicilian crewmembers Filippo and Rosario Bisconti are supervising the concrete flowinto the new M2 panels. [Photo & text: sa] It’s a tricky jobto vibrate the concrete within the small crevice of these panels.[Photo & text: sa] The Novemberworkshop is getting their first construction experience finishing thetop of the wall panels. [Photo & text: sa] The extra concreteis often used to make pavers. [Photo & text: sa]read more

Alexander Makarov, the CEO of Russian pay TV giant Tricolor TV, has resigned following the expiry of his two-year contract.Tricolor TV, Europe’s largest pay TV operators by subscribers, has named regional development chief Sergey Stavropoltsy as Makarov’s successor on an interim basis.Explaining his departure, which the company said was by mutual agreement, Makarov said he was pleased with the results he had achieved and wanted to work on new projects either in Russia or abroad after a break of some months.Stavropoltsy will serve as acting CEO until the company’s board appoints a permanent replacement. The company will consider him alongside external candidates before taking a decision.Makarov took the helm at Tricolor TV in 2011 and saw the company’s customer base grow by 4.6 million to over 10 million. The company has 3.1 million customers for its premium HD service.read more

Telefonica Deutschland’s acquisition of E-Plus, a subsidiary of Dutch telecoms group KPN, has received final clearance from the European Commission. Telefónica Deutschland said it is confident it will now close the acquisition by the end of the month, with Telefónica Deutschland now due to execute the capital measures to finance the transaction.“With the final clearance of the European Commission now granted, we are able to close the transaction soon, and create a leading digital telecommunication company in Germany,” said Markus Haas, CSO of Telefónica Deutschland.In the course of the merger clearance process, Telefónica Deutschland agreed to sell upfront 20% of its mobile network capacity using a Mobile Bitstream Access model, with the opportunity to extend up to an additional 10%.read more

Amazon’s Fire TV streaming devices now offer nearly 2,000 channels, apps and games, according to the e-retail giant.Detailing the number in its second quarter earnings announcement, the firm also said that its recent ‘Prime Day’ shopping event attracted more new members for Prime worldwide “than any single day in Amazon history.”Speaking on the earnings call, Amazon’s chief financial officer, Brian Olsavsky, said that Amazon Prime membership – which includes access to its Prime Instant Video service – continues to grow. “It’s growing faster outside the US than it is in the US and we are happy with both growth rates quite frankly,” he said without breaking out numbers.Amazon said that net sales increased 20% year-on-year in Q2 to US$23.18 billion (€21.14 billion). Operating income was US$464 million in the second quarter, compared with operating loss of US$15 million during the same quarter a year earlier.read more